Spokesperson for the Minister of Police, Sandile Ngidi, says the minister is concerned that his relationship with McBride creates an impression that the two of them do not have a common goal.

But he also wanted to account to South African public that he had followed due process by instituting disciplinary action.

— Sandile Ngidi, Minister of Police spokesperson

Ngidi says the minister is also unhappy with how Parliament dealt with this issue.

The sentiment that is expressed there is essentially about the need for the two parties to sit down together with Parliament to work out a working relationship. There is such a rift between the two and Parliament.

— Sandile Ngidi, Minister of Police spokesperson

Last month the Constitutional Court ruled that Nhleko’s decision to suspend McBride was unlawful and set it aside.

The suspension was then preserved for 30 days to allow for Parliament to decide whether to proceed with disciplinary action against him.

Hear more about Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko's letter to Ipid head Robert McBride from the audio below...